Lightproof map-reading compact



099 19, 1934. E4 SMYANGA 1,976,759

LIGHTPROOF MAP READING COMPACT Filed June 22, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet l @ct. 16, 1934. E. s. YANGA I LIGHTPROOF MAP READING COMPACT Filed June 22, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ELEUTEP/O 5 K4NG4 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 E. S. YANGA LIGHTPROOF MAP READING COMPACT Filed June 22, 1955 Oct. 16, 1934.

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4 TTOENEYS FPatented Get. 16', 17934 rare Liiitfldd uenrrnoor MAP-READING coivmscr Eleuterio S. Yanga, United States Arrny, Fort I Wiiliam McKinley, nan, Philippine Islands Application June 22, 193$,Sei-ial No.'677,093 7 15 Claims. (01. 40-86) (Granted'under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928;370 0. G. 757) v The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to a light-proof mapreading compact and proposes a device of this character having for its primary object to provide means whereby maps, orders or any other data may be inspected and read under cover of darkness without exposure of the self-contained light. Such an invention is particularly well adapted for military purposes, but is obviously capable of application to many other fields of use.

An important object of the present invention is the provision of means to permit the use of a scribing instrument for making notations or en,-

tering any other indicia upon the maps, orders or the like while under inspection without danger of exposure of the interior light. 1 p

device embodying the invention also makes it eps or map sections, military orders and other a "-a sheets in compact and convenient form upon flexible backing or carrier blanks, which are readily replaceable and are adapted for use with replaceable reels or spools whereby the individual data-sheets may be fed successively one after the other for secret inspection at the will or the user. Other objects will appear as the description proceeds.

The structural organization and mode of operation will now be described in detail in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 7

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the invention, the device being in extended position;

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 3, the device being in collapsed condition;

Fig; 3 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line 4-i of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a detail of the annular base, forming part of a light-excluding component ofthe device, together with a portion of its supporting plate;

Fig. 6 is a perspective of the tape which functions as a carrier of data sheets,,together with one of its associated winding spools; and

Fig. 7 is a modification of the light-excluding component shown in section.

In its'broad aspects the invention contemplates a structure comprising essentially a light-proof receptacle or chamber provided with an interior source of illumination; a conveyor mechanism mounted in the chamber to function as a flexible support and carrier or" maps, orders or any other :data sheets; a protected eyepiece for examining the data sheets; means under the control of the 0 user to operate the carrier whereby the data sheets may be brought successively within the field of view of the eyepiece for inspection; and as another important feature, an adjustable lightexcluding component to permit the insertion and manipulation of a writing instrument for the pur pose of entering notes or otherwise marking upon the maps, orders and data sheets, while making observations through the eyepiece, or if desired, while causing feeding movement of the carrier, and without danger of light exposure.

Referring to the drawings, the device comprises a main body component 1, preferably of rigid, box-like construction, and a collapsible component 2, suitably secured to said body 1 and in adjustable relation thereto. As here shown, component 2 is made .foldable or collapsible by the use of a flexible bellows 3. The interior of the bellows may be painted or coated to provide a light reflecting surface. At the front of the collapsible component an eyepiece 4 is attached which may be provided with a lens or lens system as at 5. Obviously, a non-retracting element .may be substituted for the lens, such as glass or other transparent material. However, a lens is not absolutely essential and may be omitted,

as will be seen by reference to Fig. 7, in which the eyepiece is formed merely with a sight opening as at 6. The eyepiece is fitted with a collar or guard '7, preferably of soft rubber or other material having a yielding characteristic to promote comfort in use. The main body component and the collapsible component are assembled to form a camera abscura or light-proof chamber.

Mounted in the main body component 1, is a conveyor mechanism comprising a pair of spools or reels 8 and 9, adapted to receive a flexible strip or tape 10 which functions as a carrier blank for maps, or sections of maps, orders such as military orders, or any other data sheets bearing written or printed matter. The carrier strip or blank is shown in Fig. 6. In order that the carrier strip may be wound on the spools, the stems or cores are slotted longitudinally in a conventional manner as at 11, to receive the tabs 12,

formed at the ends of the carrier strip 10 for that purpose. In operative position, idle rollers 13 are provided to support and guide the carrier tape into the field of View of the eyepiece i. For the purpose of affording a backing support for that portion of the carrier tape which is in the field of view of said eyepiece, a backing board 14 is attached at its ends 15 to main body 1. This board presents a flat backing surface to support the carrier tape 10. It should be understood that main body component 1 is regarded as the back portion of the chamber and the collapsible component as the front portion. A rear cover 16 is provided for the main body 1, hinged at the bottom as at 16' and having a spring latch 17- at its top, this cover affording a light-tight closure for said main body component. A front cover 27 is also provided, which is secured at its bottom to the bottom edge of the main body 1 by means of hinges 28. When the collapsible component 2 is retracted and nested in main body 1, the front cover serves as a closure being provided at'its top with a latching device 29. This front cover when extended also functions as a base and is fitted with means to permit the extension and adjustment of the collapsible component and parts carried thereby, as hereinafter more fully described.

interposed between the carrier tape 10 and the eyepiece 4, is a light-excluding component 18, which is an element of the collapsible component 2, and is movable therewith. As here shown, the component 18 comprises an annular or ring base 19 and a rotatably associated cap 20. The annular base 19 is formed with slotted guideways 21 and 22, portions of the material of said ring being retained as at 23 to function as stops. The cap is fitted with a pair of screw lugs 24, threaded through its periphery at diametrically opposite points. When cap 29 is assembled with the said ring base 19, screw lugs 24 are screwed down to slidably engage in the slotted guideways 21 and whereby the cap is held in place and a rotatable adjustment of cap relative to said ring base 19 is made possibl for purposes hereinafter more fully explained. Cap 20 is formed with an aperture 25 in its face adjacent the periphery, said aperture being provided with a light-excluding valve like elem nt 26, preferably composed of flexible material and having a central expansible vent therein, said vent being normally closed to exclude light. Said element 26 is adapted to permit the insertion through said vent of any scribing or writing instrument such as pencil or the like. By reason of the flexible and resilient nature of the material of element 26, the pencil or other writing instrument is gripped by the same to exclude light while at the same time freely permitting the manipulation of the pencil.

An alternative form of light-excluding component i8 is shown in Fig. '7. In this modification, the eyepiece is directly and adjustably associated with said component, thus eliminating that section of thebellows which couples the eyepiece to one element of said component in the other form. In this modified form, the eyepiece is formed with a bead which is in adjustable engagement with annular collar 18' attached to the cap, whereby the cap may be rotated independently both of ring base 19 and said eyepiece. In this form also, it will be noted that a lens is omitted from the eyepiece, which in this instance is provided with a sight opening 6.

The annular base 19 is preferably supported by a plate with which it is an integral part. plate 36 is formed with a downwardly ex tending portion 31, which carries at its lower end a conventional pinch lock 32. This lock 32 is adapted to slide on guide rail 33, secured to front cover 27. When said cover is in open position the part 31 and pinch lock 32 in operative association with said guide rail 33, provide means for supporting and adjusting the collapsible component 2 in various extended positions. Obviously, these parts permit the entire collapsible component to be pushed back and nested in main body 1 in the manner commonly employed in folding camera constructions.

Means is provided to illuminate the interior of the chamber. For this purpose a pair of electric lamps 3e and35 are operatively mounted in circuit relation with a current source 36, which is here shown as a single dry cell, although a battery of several dry cells may be employed. A spring switch element 37 is operated to complete the circuit by pressure from an external screw element 38, the circuit being completed througl conductor plate 39, which contacts with the terminal of switch element 37 and one electrode of the cell or battery. The elements of the lighting system just described are conveniently located in the main body 1. As will be obvious, the elements of the carrier feeding mechanism and the elements of the lighting arrangement may be readily inserted and removed by use of the rear cover 16.

Reverting to the carrier feeding mechanism, the spools 8 and 9 are provided at their lower ends with flange plates 40 and 41, respectively, which have a frictional bearing engagement with bearings 42 and 43 formed in the bottom case of main body 1. At the top, flange plates 46 and 47 are provided on the spools. These plates 46 and 47 are formed with perforations or recesses as at 48 and 49 to permit the insertion of threadcd keys or thumb screws 56 and 51, fitted at their ends with stems 52 and 53. When key 50 is screwed down it has a binding action and may be manually operated to turn the spool 8 for feed ing the carrier tape. During this operation, the key 51 is unscrewed to disengage the threaded portion and relieve any binding action on spool 9, which spool is then permitted to rotate freely whereby the carrier tape may be unwound from said spool 9, while being wound on the other spool. When key 51 is screwed down and key 50 is unscrewed more or less, the feeding action 01' movement of the carrier tape may be reversed.

In operation, the front cover 27 is let down after releasing latch 29. The collapsible component 3 is then withdrawn from the main body 1 by grasping the pinch-lock 32. The operator then holds the entire device in a convenient position for observation through eyepiece 4. When the eye is in position, the light is switched on by external switch screw 38. Where a lens is used in the eyepiece, it is obviously necessary to focus the same by adjusting the collapsible section. By manipulating either of the spool keys 50 and 51, the carrier tape 10 is fed into position to expose any desired map section, or other data sheet in the field of view of the eyepiece. By inserting a pencil or the like through the flexible valve 26 of element 25, the operator is enabled to mark upon the data sheets without light exposure while continuing to make observations through the eyepiece. Where it is desired to strike a line on a map or map section, for example, or describeeither a line or curve upon the same, or upon any data sheet, this may be done by manipulating the carrier food, while holding the scribing point in proper position for the purpose suggested. To avoid possibility of light exposure, precaution is taken to switch off the in terior light before removing the eye from the eyepiece. Such a device lends itself to a considerable range of uses, and it will be noted that notations of various kinds may be made under cover of darkness as an operator becomes skilled in the use of such a device. In some'instances where the danger of light exposure is of no importance, or in certain cases of emergency, such a device may be used as a flash light or lantern or as a spot light.

Changes and modifications are contemplated within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

I claimz- I l. A device of the character described, comprising in combination a light-proof chamber; a carrier or data sheets mounted in said chamber; an eyepiece for observing said data sheets; means for moving the carrier to expose the data sheets within the field of view of said eyepiece; means for illuminating the interior of said chamber; and light excluding means to permit the entry of notations upon said data sheets while viewing the same through the eyepiece.

2. A device of the character described, comprising in combination a light-tight chamber; a carrierof data sheets mounted in said chamher; an eyepiece for observing said sheets; means for feeding the carrier into position to expose the data sheets in the field of view of said eyepiece; ineans for illuminating the interior of the char oer; and light-proof means topermit the insertion and manipulation of a scribing instrument for marking upon said data sheets while making observations through the eyepiece.

3. A device of the character described comprising in combination a light-proof chamber; a carrier of data sheets mounted in said chamber; an eyepiece for observing said data sheets; means for feeding the carrier to expose the data sheets within the field of View of said eyepiece; means for illuminating the interior or" said chamber; and light excluding means adjustable relative to the data sheets and adapted to permit entries upon said data sheets simultaneously during the carrier feeding operation and while making observations through said eyepiece.

s. A device of the character described, comprising in combination with a light-proof receptacle; a carrier of data sheets mounted in said receptacle; an eyepiece for observing said data sheets; means for imparting a feeding movement to the carrier to expose the data sheets within the field of view of said eyepiece; means for illuminating the interior of said receptacle; and an adjustable component interposed between the said carrier and eyepiece provided with a flexible light-excluding element to permit the insertion and manipulation of a scribing instrument for marking upon the data sheets while viewing said sheets through the eyepiece.

5. A device of the character described, cornprising in combination a light-proof chamber; a carrier of data sheets mounted in said chamber; an eyepiece for observing said data sheets; means for feeding the carrier to expose the data sheets within the field of View of said eyepiece; means for illuminating the interior of said chamber; and a light-excluding component interposed between the said carrier and eyepiece provided with an independently adjustable element to permit the insertion and manipulation of' a scribing instrument for marking upon the data sheets while viewing said sheets through the eyepiece.

6. A device of the character described, comprising in combination a light-proof chamber; a carrier of data sheets mounted for movement in said chamber; an eyepiece for observing said data sheets; means for feedin the carrier to expose the data sheets within the field of View of said eyepiece; m ans to illuminating the interior of said chamber; and light excluding means interposed bet" son said carrier and eyepiece and adjustable relative to the carrier and independently of said eyepiece to permit the entry of notations upon said data heets while making observations through the eyepiece.

'7. A device of the character described, comprising in combination a light-proof chamber; a carrier of data sheets mounted for feeding movement in said chain an eyepiece for observing said data sheets; means for feeding the carrier to expose the data sheets within the field of View of said eyepiece; means for illuminating the interior of said chamber; and a light-excluding component interposed between said carrier and eyepiece provided with means adjustable independently of the component said eyepiece to permit the insertion and mar uulation of a scribing instriu ent for g upon data sheets while making observations ugh said eyepiece.

8. A device of the character described, comprising a main body component, and a second component adjustabiy associated therewith to form a light-proof chamber; neans for illumihating the interior of the chamber; a flexible carrier of data sheets mounted in said main body component; an eyepiece in said second component for observing the data sheets; means for imparting a feeding movement to said carrier to expose the sheets within the field of view of said eyepiece; and a movable light-excluding component interposed between said carrier and eyepiece, said component eing provided with means to permit the insertion and manipulation of a scribing instrument for marking upon the data sheets observations through said eyepiece, and incidental to the carrier feeding movement.

9. A device of the character described, comprising a main body component, and a second component adjustably associated therewith to form a light-proof chamber; means for illuminating the interior of the chamber; a carrier of data sheets mounted in said body component; an eyepiece in said second component for observing the data sheets; means for feeding the carrier to expose the data sheets in the field of view of said eyepiece; and a third component interposed between the carrier and eyepiece, said component being provided with flexible light excluding means to permit the insertion and manipulation of a scribing instrument for making entries upon the data sheets while observing said sheets through the eyepiece.

10. A device of the character described, comprising in the form of a camera obscura, a rigid component and a collapsible component, including means for adjusting one component relative to the other; a carrier of data sheets mounted in the ri id compon nt; an eyepiece in the collapsible component for observing said sheets; means for feeding the carrier to expose the data sheets within the field of view of said eyepiece;

means for illuminating the data sheets; and a light-excluding component interposed between said carrier and eyepiece comprising means to permit the insertion and manipulation of a scribing instrument for marking the data sheets without exposure of interior light and while making observations through said eyepiece.

11. A device of the character described, comprising in combination a main body component and a second component collapsibly associated therewith to form a camera obscura, including means for adjusting one component relative to the other; a carrier of data sheets mounted in the body component; an eyepiece in the second component for observing said sheets; feeding means for the carrier to expose the data sheets within the field of view of said eyepiece; interioriy located means for illuminating the data sheets; and an element interposed between said carrier and eyepiece provided with light excluding means to permit the insertion and manipulation of a scribing instrument for making notations upon said data sheets while observing said sheets through the eyepiece.

12. A device of the character described, comprising a rigid body component and a collapsible component adjustably associated therewith to form a light-tight chamber; means for illurninating the interior of the chamber; a carrier of data sheets mounted in the rigid component; an eyepiece in the collapsible component for observing said sheets; means for moving the carrier to expose the data sheets within the field of view of said eyepiece; and a third component interposed between said carrier and eyepiece, comprising an annular base and a cap adjustabiy associated with the base, said cap being provided with a flexible light excluding element to permit the insertion and manipulation of a scribing instrument for marking upon said data sheets while making observations through the eyepiece.

13. A device of the character described, comprising a main body component and a foldable component movably associated therewith to form a light-proof chamber; means for illuminating the interior oi the chamber; a carrier of data sheets mounted in the rigid component; an eyepiece in the foldable component for observing said sheets; means for imparting feeding movement to the carrier to expose the data sheets within the field of view of said eyepiece; and a light-proof member interposed between said carrier and eyepiece, said member comprising an annular base and a cap rotatably mounted upon said base, the cap being adjustable independently of the base and eyepiece and being provided with a flexible light-excluding element to permit the insertion and manipulation of a scribing instrument for marking upon said data sheets while making observations through the eyepiece.

14. A device of the character described, com prising a rigid body component and a collapsible component adjustably associated therewith to form a light-tight chamber; means for illumihating the interior of the chamber; a flexible carrier of data sheets mounted in said rigid component; an eyepiece for viewing the data sheets; means for feeding the carrier to expose the data sheets within the field of view of said eyepiece; a, flat backing support for the exposed portion of said carrier; and a member mounted in said collapsible component and interposed between the carrier and eyepiece, said member comprising an annular base and a component adiustably associated with said base, said component having formed therein an aperture provided with a flexible light excluding element to pe *mit the in sertion and manipulation of a scribing instrument for marking upon said data sheets while making observations through said eyepiece.

15. In a device or" the character descrioed, comprising a camera obscure body; a carrier of data sheets operative within said body; an eyepiec for viewing the data sheets; means for feeding the carrier to expose the data sheets within the field of view of said eyepiece; a light-proof com-- ponent interposed between the eyepiece and data sheets, and including means movable relative to the data sheets to permit the insertion and manipulation of a scribing device for marking ELEUTEREO S. 

